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• Off Trail Hike: The Thousand-Foot Scar

  • When
    07/19/2025

  As you may or may not know, Western North Carolina and East Tennessee were visited by a malicious hurricane of evil intent last September that delivered massive flooding in certain sections of our Smoky Mountains. One of the areas hit worst was Big Creek, which harbors the approach to the Middle Fork of Gunter Fork off-trail hike scheduled for July 12th. With the bridge at Walnut Bottom washed out and the crossing of Big Creek appearing to be perilous, we are straining in forcing ourselves to exercise both prudence and caution in cancelling the Gunter Fork hike.

  Nevertheless, we are substituting a relatively moderate hike up the ever-popular Thousand-Foot Scar off Trout Branch. Please note, the date for the Thousand-Foot Scar off-trail hike is Saturday, July 19.

  Pre-registration with one of the leaders is required.

  Leaders: Ken Wise | 865-310-7764 | kwise@utk.edu

  Todd Long | 865-406-2421 | toddmlong@gmail.com

  
  

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• Kuwohi to Newfound Gap

  • When
    07/19/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Kuwohi Parking Lot GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    22

  Register

  Hello adventure seekers! Ready for a fantastic hike in the Great Smoky Mountains? Join us as we follow a scenic trek along the Appalachian Trail from Kuwohi (aka Clingmans Dome) to the parking lot at Newfound Gap. This hike combines breathtaking views from the highest elevation on the AT, a touch of challenge, and the thrill of walking one of America’s most legendary trails—all wrapped in the beauty of the Smokies! (Be aware that the weather can affect the views if it’s a cloudy or foggy day.) This hike is rated as moderate, at approximately 8 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain.

  Special Note: This will be a shuttle hike; volunteers are needed—please let the leader know if you are available to park your vehicle at Newfound Gap and return hikers to Kuwohi at the end of the hike.

  To carpool, meet at Cracker Barrel Strawberry Plains, 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, southeast corner of the parking lot, at 7:00 AM (110 miles x $0.07 per mile = $8.00 rounded) or at Kuwohi Parking Lot at 9:00 AM. Shuttle drivers meet in the Newfound Gap parking lot at 8:30 AM.

  Leader: Brian Mason | BMason997@yahoo.com
  

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• Wednesday Hike: Porters Creek / Brushy Mountain

  • When
    07/23/2025
  •  
    8:45 AM
  • Location
    Porters Creek Trailhead GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    23

  Register

  In Greenbrier, we begin at the Porters Creek trailhead. We go ~1 mile along Porters Creek, past a cemetery, past the spur to the old SMHC cabin, before turning north up Brushy Mountain. The trail climbs gently through moist forest, gets steeper, and has a few switchbacks on the way to Trillium Gap (~mile 5.5). Some may prefer to lunch there in a shady spot. Others may lunch at the summit, ~0.4 mile uphill on the heath bald, in the sunshine with spectacular views (in clear weather). Return the same way. Hike: 11.8 miles with ~3,000 ft. climb. Rated Difficult.

  To carpool, meet at Cracker Barrel off I-40 at Exit 398, 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, southeast corner of the parking lot, ready to leave at 7:15 am. Drive: 80 miles RT @ 7¢ = $5.60, round to $6. Meet at Porters Creek Trailhead, ready to hike at 8:45 am. Leader will meet at trailhead.

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• Flats Mountain Trail near Indian Boundary, Cherokee National Forest-Tellico District

  • When
    07/26/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Camp Store in Indian Boundary Campground (Loop B)
  • Spaces left
    22

  Register

  For this hike we will use a short car shuttle to Flats Mountain (trail #102). We will drop some cars at Beehouse Gap, the northern end of Flats Mountain Trail (near Indian Boundary Campground), then car shuttle to Eagle Gap on the Cherohala Skyway and begin our hike at the southern end of Flats Mountain Trail. This 6.1-mile trail follows the ridge of Flats Mountain, overlooking Indian Boundary Lake and the Citico Creek Wilderness dotted with Flaming Azaleas and Rhododendron . The trail begins with a short climb to two unnamed balds, then it descends 1900 ft., to Beehouse Gap, where our shuttle cars will be parked.

  Hike is 6.1 miles, rated Moderate. Trail might be overgrown in some areas, so pants or knee-high gaiters are recommended. There will be plenty of daylight left after this hike to take the short drive on River Road to see the new bridge at Bald River Falls as you make your way home!

  Meet at Kroger in Alcoa, 244 S. Hall Road at the SE end of the building, near the KARM store, and park around the side of the building, ready to leave at 7:00 am. Carpool is 130 miles RT (7¢ = $9.10, OK to round up or down). Or meet at the Camp Store in Indian Boundary Campground (Loop B), for final head count and car shuttle drop, ready to roll at 8:30am.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    08/02/2025
  • Location
    AT

  Register

  Each season, several hundred pounds of hardwood mulch are used at each of our backcountry privies to aid in proper composting. This work trip will focus on packing mulch to one or more of our backcountry privy locations that is less than 3 miles from the trailhead. Mulch is put in 20 lb. bags for carrying. The club has extra backpacking-style backpacks if needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• 2025 Election Picnic

  • When
    08/09/2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • Location
    Victor Ashe Park Pavilion, Knoxville

  Join us for the Club’s Annual Election Picnic!
  Saturday, August 9, at the Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville

  Please make plans to attend!  Bring your favorite dish to share!
   Before the potluck picnic, enjoy the open park space and greenways!
  Play equipment nearby – bring the family!
  Meet the current and new Board members, and sign up to lead hikes in 2026!

  9:30am: Hike the Greenway Trails 11:30am: Potluck Lunch Please bring a dish to share! The social committee will provide drinks, paper plates, and utensils. 12:30pm: Business Program Election of 2026 Officers 2026 Hike Leader Sign-Up  12:50pm: Special Guest Speaker Lisa Thomison, Executive Director of the Owl Ridge Raptor Center, and the Center Ambassadors!

  Victor Ashe Park Large Pavilion at 4901 Bradshaw Road

  Owl Ridge Raptor Center Owl Ridge Raptor Center is a nonprofit organization that cares for injured and orphaned birds of prey. These include owls, hawks, falcons, vultures, and eagles. We work closely with local veterinarians and the UT veterinary hospital, as well as a network of fellow volunteer rehabbers. The goal with each bird is full recovery and re-release back into their native habitat whenever possible. Our “ambassadors” are non-releasable raptors who help us raise awareness and educate about these fascinating and important creatures. Learn more at owlridge.org Donations will be accepted at the picnic – please give generously! All donations go directly towards the housing, care, and feeding of these wonderful animals!

  No registration is needed – We look forward to seeing everyone!!

  The Social Committee

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    09/06/2025
  • Location
    Cosby Campground

  Register

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Mt Cammerer Fire Tower and Camel Gap. Access to the work area will be via the 2.5 mile Low Gap Trail, starting at the Cosby Campground. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    10/04/2025
  • Location
    Newfound Gap

  Register

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Newfound Gap to Icewater Springs. This is our most heavily used section of trail, and it sees a lot of wear each season. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    11/01/2025
  • Location
    TBD

  Register

  November is time to start winding down the trail maintenance season. This work day will be focused on cleaning, sharpening, repairing, inventorying, and storing the club’s tools for the winter. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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